News and Commentary

As the leading civil rights organization in the Lone Star State, we at the ACLU of Texas believe it is our duty to keep the public informed about the state of their civil liberties. The work we do at the legislature, in the courts, and in our communities is important, but there is no better defender of civil rights than a public that is informed and engaged.

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Dec 11, 2017

"They're taking everybody" — Texas troopers are ripping apart immigrant families during traffic stops

In Texas, State troopers have become frontline enforcers of federal immigration laws. In recent years, and especially since Donald Trump was elected president, the Texas Highway Patrol, part of the state’s...

Dec 7, 2017

Customs and Border Protection is Out of Control

I am the son of Mexican immigrants. I live in Houston, the most diverse city in the country. And I have family in the Rio Grande Valley where CBP’s abuses are a matter of routine. I know our border...

By Edgar Saldivar

Dec 1, 2017

It's Time for Radical Reforms in Texas's Juvenile Justice System

For the third time in ten years, reports of alleged sexual assault by staff on detained youth at state secure juvenile facilities have surfaced. It was inexcusable the first time, and it is inexcusable now...

Nov 13, 2017

Houston must try homeless shelter remedies that work in other cities

Two short months ago, our city suffered one of the most devastating natural disasters in its 180-year history. But the calamities Hurricane Harvey rained down upon us are the same as those homeless...

By Terri Burke, Executive Director, 2008-2020

Houston police outside of homeless encampment.

Nov 9, 2017

AngelouEconomics Study: Senate Bill 4 Will Jeopardize Texas’ Economic Prosperity

The Trump and Abbott administrations continue to target Texas’s immigrant communities for profiling and discrimination. But if the population of undocumented immigrants declines, so will Texas’ economy....

Photo: A Texas and United States flag wave in the wind on two separate flagpoles in front of a corporate building.

Nov 7, 2017

Austin Shouldn’t Waste This Opportunity For Police Reform

Civilian review panels need power, independence, transparency and funding to hold police accountable for misconduct.

The modern history of police accountability began on August 9th, 2014 in...

Civilian review panels need power, independence, transparency and funding to hold police accountable for misconduct.

The modern history of police accountability began on August 9th, 2014 in...